Mbechmann
Friend of Leo's
Today, I have been building templates for the neck. But I keep thinking on 1 thing. Why is the neck round? I know that different necks makes it easier to play on, but that could just be practice... 
Neck question
- Thread starter Mbechmann
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Mbechmann
Friend of Leo's
Just realized I didnt explain it correctly. I am ofcause thinking on the fretboard. Why is that rounded?
KWhatley
Tele-Holic
Mbechmann
Friend of Leo's
Hmm I did google it, but came up short.
"A Brief History Of Discovering The Conical Fingerboard in 1978 by luthier Denny Rauen can be found in American Lutherie #8/Winter 1986 and String Instrument Craftsman May/June 1988 under the title "Multi-Radius Fingerboards". This special radiusing is a standard on many of Denny's custom built guitars and refret work beginning in 1978. Denny Rauen's articles on the "Multi Radius Fingerboard" are the first published documents on using a conical fingerboard to improve string bending while retaining comfortable chording."
So it is used to improve bending? That would make sense on an electric guitar - and maybe also on the an acoustic. But what about on a bas. You rarely use bending there (or at least I do). So why is it corved there?
"A Brief History Of Discovering The Conical Fingerboard in 1978 by luthier Denny Rauen can be found in American Lutherie #8/Winter 1986 and String Instrument Craftsman May/June 1988 under the title "Multi-Radius Fingerboards". This special radiusing is a standard on many of Denny's custom built guitars and refret work beginning in 1978. Denny Rauen's articles on the "Multi Radius Fingerboard" are the first published documents on using a conical fingerboard to improve string bending while retaining comfortable chording."
So it is used to improve bending? That would make sense on an electric guitar - and maybe also on the an acoustic. But what about on a bas. You rarely use bending there (or at least I do). So why is it corved there?
bendeane
Tele-Meister
I think it's merely a preference. Most classical guitar fretboards are completely flat. Some players prefer compound radius necks, other like a constant 9.5" radius (i think that's standard tele neck radius). It's as much playability preference as the back profile of the neck and contours of the body and fretboard wood.
Someone may have a more technical explanation, but that's my take.
Someone may have a more technical explanation, but that's my take.
Ronsonic
Tele-Afflicted
Radius exists because your index finger is curved and you play barre chords.
I prefer a large radius on my fretboards, and I've made a couple instruments with completely flat boards. My friend Clint prefers a very small radius making the board very very rounded. It's largely preference. I can bend and barre on a flat fretboard just fine.
